PANAJI
Goa’s one-down southpaw batter, Abhinav Tejrana was the only silver lining for the visitors with a classy 109 (152b, 11x4, 2x6), his fourth hundred in his maiden First Class season, as the visitors collapsed to 210/6 in their second essay and only 69 runs in front in the sixth round Ranji Trophy Elite Group B match against Maharashtra at the MCA Cricket Stadium, in Gahunje, Pune on Saturday.
Earlier in the morning, Maharashtra added another 44 runs in 15 overs as their keeper-batter Saurabh Nawale completed a well-deserved second hundred at the First Class level. Nawale made 105 (173b, 15x4). Nawale had a capable ally down the order in Vicky Ostwal (38*) and forged a 45-run ninth wicket stand. Ostwal together with last man Hitesh Walunj (8) frustrated the Goa attack further with a stubborn 31-run partnership as the home side finished on 350, and a sizeable 141-run first innings lead. For the visitors, all-rounder Lalit Yadav was the pick of the bowlers with returns of 4/98.
In their second innings, Goa were staring down the barrel at 70/4 after 22 overs. Former Goa captain, Darshan Misal joined forces with Tejrana as the duo faced the uphill task of a rescue act amidst tremendous pressure. The two forged a resolute 122-run alliance for the fifth wicket until Tejrana was scalped by the uncanny guiles of Jalaj Saxena for a masterful 109. At close of play on the penultimate day, the visitors had lost another wicket as Misal stood firm with a laborious unbeaten 52 (153b, 3x4) with Arjun Tendulkar on nought for company. For Maharashtra, the spin trio of Hitesh Walunj, Jalaj Saxena and Vicky Ostwal were among the spoils. Walunj impressed with returns of 3-45, while Saxena who shared the new ball with pacer, Ramakrishna Ghosh scalped two wickets, and Ostwal claimed the other wicket to fall.
BRIEF SCORES
>Goa 1st Inns 209 in 82.1 overs (Snehal Kauthankar 73, Jalaj Saxena 6/79); Maharashtra 1st Inns 350 in 106 overs (Saurabh Nawale 105, Ruturaj Gaikwad 66, Lalit Yadav 4/98); Goa 2nd Inns 210/6 in 73 overs (Abhinav Tejrana 109, Darshan Misal 52*, Hitesh Walunj 3-45) Goa Lead By 69 runs
